June 07, 2010

UPDATE - June 8, 11:30 a.m.:La Grange police have identified the woman struck and killed Monday by an Amtrak train as Linda Dulik, 43, of Berwyn, a former resident of La Grange.

Dulik's death apparently was a suicide, police said.

A sister of Dulik arrived at the scene following the incident yesterday and told authorities that the victim likely was her, adding that Dulik had been depressed, police said.

A woman was struck and killed by an Amtrak train this afternoon near the Stone Ave rail station, La Grange police said. The accident occurred about 3:55 p.m.

Police said the woman was observed stepping off the station's platform and onto the eastbound tracks as the train approached. The Amtrak engineer spotted the woman but was unable to stop the nine-car train to avoid the impact, police said.

Investigators were able to tentatively identify the victim but withheld her name until pending notification of her family.

April 14, 2010

A man found dead early Tuesday morning in a portable toilet at Sedgwick Park has been identified as David Lindsey, 25, a white male, who resided in Minooka, La Grange police said this afternoon.

While the exact cause of death is undetermined pending results of an autopsy by the Cook County medical examiner, a "tan rock-like substance" and syringes were found with the body, suggesting Lindsey died of a drug overdose, according to Police Investigator Rob Wardlaw.

Lindsey had a prior history of drug abuse, Wardlaw said.

Lindsey was discovered shortly after 1 o'clock Tuesday morning by an employee for Drop Zone, a Frankfort-based company that provides and services portable toilets for the Park District of La Grange. The employee reported no signs of life, Wardlaw said.

Paramedics were called to the scene, but attempts to revive Lindsey were unsuccessful, Wardlaw said.

Announced that the board identified several short and long-term initiatives at the strategic planning session it held Jan. 8-9. Staff is now developing an operations plan that will be presented at a workshop likely to be held within four to six weeks.

Reported the death last week of long-time La Grange resident and paid-on-call firefighter Ken Straube.

Announced that West Suburban magazine would feature La Grange in its March-April edition.

Played a video segment from ABC7 Chicago's Hungry Hound food reporter, Steve Dolinsky, that featured three new restaurants in downtown La Grange.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, Jan. 28, for Jacob Christopher Curby, 25, a 2002 graduate and former wrestling standout at Lyons Township High School, who was found dead Friday at his home in Boise, Idaho.

Curby was discovered not breathing on his sofa at
home, according to a statement issued by USA Wrestling, which is considered the national governing body of the sport. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. No medical information
about the incident is currently available.

Curby was ranked No. 3 on the Greco-Roman National Team and has twice been a national team member, according to the statement. He returned a few days ago from competing in Russia.

Curby rose to national and international prominence in Greco-Roman wrestling while competing for the U.S. Olympic Education Program at Northern Michigan University.

His top achievement on the national level was placing second at the
2007 U.S. World Team Trials. He was fourth at the U.S. Nationals the
last three seasons, and placed third at the 2008 Pan American
Championships, according to the statement.

As a sophomore wrestler at LT, Curby qualified for the state tournament in 2000, where he won in the Greco-Roman category at 145 pounds, according to a March 2007 story in the Suburban Life newspaper.

Later in 2002, Curby was diagnosed with leukemia. But following aggressive chemotherapy, he appeared to have beaten the disease.

“Wrestling is his life and he was totally engaged in it,” said his father Dave Curby in the statement from USA Wrestling. “He is a kid with many friends. He
overcame so much in his life, with epilepsy and having cancer when he
was in high school. It is a shock. We are always so proud of him in all
aspects of his life. He only got great things from being involved with
USA Wrestling at this level.”

December 18, 2009

Village flag flies at half mast to honor Robert Kraft, former La Grange fire chief, who died Monday, Dec. 14.

Former La Grange Fire Chief Robert A. Kraft died Monday, Dec. 14. He was 83 years old.

The flag on the lawn of Village Hall this week is being flown at half mast in Kraft's honor.

Kraft served the village for nearly 28 years, beginning as a firefighter in Dec. 1952. He was subsequently promoted to the
ranks of fire captain and fire marshal. He was appointed the village's fire chief
in Dec. 1963, a position he held for 14 years until his
retirement in March 1978.

Chief Kraft returned to serve in a part-time capacity as a building inspector between 1981-1983.

A U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, Kraft is survived by Audrey, his wife of 58 years; three children; and five grandchildren, according to the Adolf Funeral Home of Willowbrook, where services were held this morning. Inurnment will be at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside.

Memorials to
St. Thomas Hospice, 8230 S. Madison St., Burr Ridge, IL 60527 or the American Cancer Society are encouraged by his family.

May 27, 2009

A fund has been established to cover future expenses for the children of Cari Lyn Cook, the Countryside woman who died May 19 after being struck by a vehicle while crossing 47th St in La Grange.

The children, two-year-old Ellie and four-month-old Carson, were with their mother at the time of the accident. Carson suffered a fractured leg; Ellie was unharmed.

Monies collected by the fund will be used to provide "education, child care, medical needs and any other costs related to the needs of the children," according to information posted on the Cari Lyn Cook memorial website, cookfamilyfund.com.

"Although Carson and Ellie will have the love and support of many
friends and family, life will not be easy as [Cari's husband] Matt tries to raise two
young children while providing for his family," the website said.

The website also contains a guest book and photo album where visitors can share their thoughts, stories and pictures of Cari.

May 21, 2009

A wake for Cari Lyn Cook, who died Tuesday after being struck by a vehicle while crossing 47th St in La Grange with her two small children, will be held Friday from 2:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 4727 W 103rd St, Oak Lawn, according to a funeral home spokeswoman.

Cook's funeral will be held Saturday beginning at 10:15 a.m. with prayers at Blake-Lamb. Services will follow at 11:00 a.m. at Queen of Martyrs Catholic Church, 3550 W 103rd St, Evergreen Park. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Gardens South Cemetary in Oak Lawn.

No information regarding flowers or donations was available, the Blake-Lamb spokeswoman said.

January 12, 2009

The death of a 61-year old Lyons man who was run over by a freight train on the Indiana Harbor Belt rail line Friday afternoon has been ruled a suicide, La Grange Police Chief Michael Holub said today.

The victim, Joseph Dubinskas, was decapitated after apparently lying down next to the southbound tracks near Ogden Ave and placing his head inside the rail as the train approached. Although the train was traveling under 10 mph, the engineer was unable to avoid hitting the victim, Holub said.

Footprints the victim left in the snow led to the scene from a stairway descending from the Ogden Ave overpass, Holub said.

Dubinskas, a Marine veteran with a history of mental illness, was tentatively identified when his description matched a missing person report filed with Lyons police by a family relative. Fingerprints later confirmed his identity, Holub said.

September 06, 2006

James K. Gilbert, 85, of La Grange, died Saturday, Sept. 2, at Loyola University Medical Center in Maywood of injuries sustained Aug 24 in an automobile accident that occurred just three blocks from the house where he and his wife, Bennie, had lived since 1946. Mrs. Gilbert, who also was injured in the crash, is recuperating at home.

Born June 23, 1921, in Drew, Mississippi, Mr. Gilbert moved to La Grange in 1934. He attended Cossitt School and Lyons Township High School. In 1939, he married Bennie, who also had moved to La Grange from Mississippi in 1936. They raised four sons: James Jr, LaVonn, Charles and Jerry. All survive their father.

Mr. Gilbert in 1985 retired from Commonwealth Edison after 40 years of employment. Prior to that, he worked locally at Electromotive Corp and Reynolds Aluminum. He also held a real estate license for much of his adult life.

"I never heard him swear," said James Jr of his father. "I never seen him take a drink. Whenever I needed him he was always there." He added that his father's reputation among the La Grange business community was so valued that "if he took you to the bank for a mortagage, his word alone would get you that mortgage."

Mr. Gilbert's funeral is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 9, at Second Baptist Church, 26 Washington Ave, La Grange. A wake will begin at 10 a.m. with services at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Parkholm Cemetary in La Grange Park.

The accident that killed Mr. Gilbert and injured his wife occurred at the intersection of S Tilden and E Lincoln Aves at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 24. when a car travelling north on Tilden apparently ran a stop sign and struck the vehicle occupied by the couple and son, LaVonn.

La Grange police refused to divulge to the daily any details regarding the accident pending receipt of a request in writing under the Freedom of Information Act.

Joyce Lightner, a niece of Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert, also of La Grange, said she spoke with Village police chief Michael Holub, and that he told her a woman driving the other vehicle had been arrested. Holub also told her that alcohol had been a factor, said Ms. Lightner.

Ms. Lightner Aug. 28 pleaded with Village officials during the public portion of a scheduled meeting of the Village board of trustees to make improvements to the traffic signage at the intersection, citing several close calls of her own while driving through it.

New signs at the intersection were evident today. They alert drivers on Tilden that traffic on Lincoln Ave, which crosses the Indiana Harbor Belt railway immediately east of the intersection, does not stop.

James Gilbert in 1985 at a party celebrating his retirement from Commonwealth Edison after 40 years of employment.